Real confident of signing Villa

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is confident that a deal to sign Spain striker David Villa from Valencia will be concluded in the near future.

The 27-year-old is finally poised to leave the Mestalla, having been linked with a number of clubs across the continent, including Chelsea and Manchester City.

Perez told Marca: "He is an excellent player that we must fit into our project.

"(Valencia president) Manuel Llorente has to do what he has to do, as do I. The signing is just a matter of time.

"Everything is being done in a friendly and co-operative way,and we have good relations with Valencia.

"It is not a movie with a good and a bad side. It is a case of rival and historic clubs who are going to fight for the league title."

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes is reported to have agreed a new long-term contract to bring to an end the speculation surrounding his future.

Valdes, 27, was said to be ready to walk away from the Spanish and European champions next summer on a free transfer when his contract was set to expire.

AC Milan and Manchester United were both linked with moves for the shot-stopper, but Valdes' agent Gines Carvajal has dropped a strong hint that his client will now be remaining at the Camp Nou.

Following a meeting with Barca technical director Txiki Begiristain on Thursday, Carvajal said: "The meeting is now closed."

Valdes' representatives are believed to have reached agreement over a new five-year contract.

Meanwhile, Yaya Toure is also on the verge of signing a new contract with the Catalan club, according to the agent of the Ivory Coast midfielder.

Toure was rumoured to be unsettled at the Camp Nou this summer after suggesting he was not happy with the terms of his current contract.

However, agent Dimitri Seluk believes an agreement over a lucrative new contract is now close to being reached.

"Barcelona are optimistic about resolving the issue and I believe that we are on the verge of signing an agreement," he said.

"Although there are many clubs interested, we are not interested in them.

"In fact, he can only play for eight teams - three of them in Italy, three in England and two in Spain."